Piper International

Piper is dedicated to fostering international partnerships and exchanges, seeking inspiration from storytellers worldwide. Over the past decade, we have been fortunate to be inspired by talented artists from around the globe.

RETURNING TO THE FRINGE IN 2026

THE BLOODY BALLAD OF BETTE DAVIS

Piper Theatre Productions returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with The Bloody Ballad of Bette Davis, a camp horror musical fantasy set in 1970s Hollywood where the fading film icon battles the system, her daughter, and perhaps something even darker lurking beneath the surface.

The production will appear at Assembly Roxy Upstairs, Venue 139, from August 6–30, 2026 (not August 5, 13, 20 & 27), at 3:00 PM daily. The production marks Piper’s fifth appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe following acclaimed international productions including The Island of Doctor Moreau (Bobby Award, Best Play), Splitfoot, CADEL, Mother Sauvage in Malta, and The Lincoln Dress in Romania.

Book written and directed by John P. McEneny
Music and Lyrics by Rob Parker

“With its vibrant cast, terrific score, assured direction, fabulous costumes and zany staging, Bloody Ballad of Bette Davis will leave you bewitched.” — Fringe Review

Set during the twilight of Bette Davis’s legendary career, the musical blends close harmony, disco, rock, and wistful ballads inspired by Kander and Ebb and Elton John. With her star fading and finances dwindling, Davis reluctantly accepts a role in the now cult 1975 horror film Burnt Offerings. Though the movie is a haunted house horror, the real horrors occur off camera.

Tormented by a visit from her daughter B.D. Hyman, who accuses her mother of witchcraft, and locked in bitter conflict with co-stars Oliver Reed and Karen Black, Davis finds herself cornered by Hollywood, aging, family wounds, and memory itself. As the chaos escalates, this camp horror fantasia imagines what might happen if the legendary actress finally unleashed her alleged dark powers and fought back.

John P. McEneny said, “The show began with a childhood memory of Burnt Offerings, which I saw far too young and never quite forgot. It made me start wondering what moments of work, courage, or stubbornness actually survive after the lights go down.”

Before heading overseas, Piper will present two special U.S. preview performances in Brooklyn.

Learn More Here
Learn More Here

LAST SUMMER @ THE FRINGE 2025

CADEL: Lungs on Legs

The epic true story of Cadel Evans, the first Australian to win the Tour de France, live on stage. Created b and starring Connor Delves, co-written by Steve McMahon and directed by Mark Barford. The grit, gears and glory of the most challenging road race on earth rode into Brooklyn for two previews ahead of a much anticipated season with Underbelly Cowgate at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, last August.

U.S. Preview Performances of The Bloody Ballad of Bette Davis
July 25 & 26 at 8:00 PM
Gallery Players
Tickets: $20–25

Featuring Aaron Novak, Coleson Berlin, Grace Olbinsky, Laura Dillman Frank, and Annie Meek Montgomery.

Edinburgh Fringe Information
Assembly Roxy Upstairs, Venue 139
2 Roxburgh Place, Edinburgh EH8 9SU
August 6–30, 2026 (not August 5, 13, 20 & 27)
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM daily

Running Time: 60 Minutes
Suitable for ages 12+

Instagram: @pipertheatre
#BloodyBalladofBetteDavis

Producer’s Circle
Jane Ashley and Meghann Ashley
Sarah Boink
Rebecca Boston
Mike Boyle
Martha Cooley
Bruce Goldman
Earl Jones
Kirsten Johnson
Fred Marshall
Diane Wilder

Rachael G. Jones, MD
Executive Producer

PIPER @ THE FRINGE SUMMER 2024:

THE BLOODY BALLAD OF BETTE DAVIS

Piper Theatre Productions was thrilled to return to C Venues and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with the world premiere Horror Musical THE BLOODY BALLAD OF BETTE DAVIS. Step onto the set of the 1975 film "Burnt Offering," where the legendary Bette Davis grapples with age discrimination and clashes with the unruly spirit of "New Hollywood," embodied by Karen Black. “The talented cast of five put in an early bid for the Hardest Working Ensemble of the Fringe.” - The Recs, ★★★★ (4 stars)

Learn More Here

  • Piper’s Obligo team performed an original production of Mother Sauvage by Guy de Maupassant at the University of Malta. The company conducted four workshops at the University on Grotowski’s physical theatre principals and the work of Cecily O’Neill and Process Drama.

  • Performed at Un Teatru in Bucharest and Teatrul Municipal Matei Vișniec in Suceava

    (August 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 2022)

    Featuring: Vasile Flutur, Annie Meek Montgomery, Eduard Buhac, Aaron Novak

    Puppet Design by Theresa Linnihan / Dress Design by Sophie Dorio, Sarah Millward

  • Directed by John P. McEneny, Stage Management by Carolina Do, Sound Design by Vasile Flutur,

    Performed at Romanian Cultural Institute (April 2016) AMERICAN PREMIERE and Un Teatru in Bucharest

  • by John P. McEneny and Vasile Flutur, Directed by John P. McEneny, Music by Dario Eskenazi. Technical Director Rachel Syzmanski.

    East of Edinburgh Festival (59E59) and C Venues Edinburgh Fringe Festival

    (Aug 2015) Featuring: Annie McCoy, Vasile Flutur, Annie Montgomery, Aaron Novak, Anne Windsland.

    Poster by Adi Bulboaca.

  • Devised by Michael Buffer, Chris Cariker, Vasile Flutur, Eiko Kawashima, Mollie Lief, John P. McEneny, Aaron Novak.

    Music by Lucas Syed; Directed by John P. McEneny; Original music by Lucas Syed.

    59E59 Theater’s East of Edinburgh and C Venues at the Edinburgh Fringe.

    Winner of the Star Bobby Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival August 2013